Saturday, March 26, 2016

Let me first start off with the fact that I am not an ice cream person. I would rather have a slice of pie than a bowl of ice cream.

Today the last item on my list for Easter dinner was vanilla ice cream. We are having almond cake and it was suggested that it would be nice to have ice cream with it. As I was looking for vanilla ice cream, I spotted a container of coconut creme pie ice cream. It took me less than 5 seconds to decide that I needed to have it.

As I sit on my porch writing and eating my ice cream, I reflect on how life is about the little things that bring joy.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

"Ms. Kelly. When I get back, I will look differently" called the third grader as his ride pulled out of the parking lot heading for spring break.

"I am sure you will" I respond. Then I got to thinking. How will he look differently? Will he get a haircut? Grow? Get braces?

Eleven days. Eleven days until we meet again at school. For a third grader it must seem like a lifetime. To a veteran teacher eleven days does hold a certain amount of promise-that I will be able to put attention on my house and myself. I think when I get back I will look differently too. I have a dentist and eye doctor appointment. I plan on getting my haircut and colored. I also plan on shopping for new clothes. Plus I am heading to the beach for a few days to rest.

Monday, March 21, 2016

"Oh, Ms. Kelly. What happened to your hair?" asked a second grader as our paths crossed in the hallway.

Was he asking about my gray roots that are long overdue for a coloring? Or was my hair all over the place because I had just come from parking lot duty where the wind had made an appearance which impacted my appearance.

"Is it all over the place?" I asked.

"Yep" he smiled.

"I wish I had hair like yours. Short and curly." I said.

He smiled again. "I just got mine cut yesterday."

"It looks good. Guess I will get mine cut over the break."

"Yeah, you should probably do that."

"Have a good day." I say as we go our separate ways. And as I walk down the hallway to my classroom I dodge into the bathroom to see what he saw. Wow! That wind really made a mess of my hair. Thankful for a second grader's honesty.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

I hear a voice from behind me. Then I remember that I am wearing the shirt from the race. I assume that "The Race" that she is referring to is the marathon.

"I ran the 5k part of 'the race'" I reply almost apologetically.

"Did you run?" I ask.

"No. I saw your shirt and I know that the race was this past weekend."

"Are you a runner?"

"Yes. But I haven't yet run a marathon. Just a half. I was wondering how the course was."

From there we compared races that we have run and goals that we have set. I explained that I was coming off a foot injury and the 5k was a test to see if it had healed. At that point, I realized that I shouldn't feel guilty that I didn't run "the race", that goals are individual and independent from other people, that I need to run my race. As I finished loading my groceries, we wished each other well in pursuing our goals for future races. I am now ready to run my race.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

My daughter is in the throes of "what was I thinking when I agreed to be a bridesmaid." It is her first time of being a bridesmaid and she excitedly said yes when she was asked last year at this time.

Eight months ago she ordered the dress as mandated by the bride-to-be. It was supposed to come in October. When October came, she was told that the dress had come in but it was not the size that was ordered. It will come in November. No dress in November. Definitely December. Santa didn't have it on his sleigh. January snow, and February seemed to leap right over the dress. Now it is March. It finally came and it is now in her possession.

Upon trying it on, she sighs, unhappy with the design and the fit of the dress. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she asks "what was I thinking when I agreed to be a bridesmaid?" With images of the movie 27 Dresses flashing through her mind, she vows that she will rethink saying yes the next time she is asked. If only.

Monday, March 14, 2016

Daylight savings time has me feeling like I am falling behind. I keep looking at the clock and figuring out what time it would really be and what I would normally be doing. I know a week from now I will be grateful for the change. Then my body will feel like it has a spring in its step. Until then, I sit here yawning due to the loss of sleep, and waiting for my new bedtime.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Sitting next to my husband as the brackets are announced. I am not a college basketball fan but he is. Let me take that back. He is a fanatic. Resigning myself to the fact that over the next three weeks, he will spend a great deal of time watching it and talking about it and I will understand. Because this is his thing.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Why is it that on Friday nights I want to go to bed as soon as I get home from work? When did my life change? I used to look forward to going out on Friday nights. It was a release to go out after a week of work. Whether it was a movie, a happy hour, or any other adventure, I was always good to go. Now my perfect Friday night involves chilling at home with my peeps. Change is good.

Monday, March 7, 2016

As I was planning the next project to undertake with my students, I researched different versions of artist statements. A prompt that I am going to include as part of the project is "Some of the things I learned while creating it were...". I think their responses will give me a window into their understanding of the process. Reflecting on the artist statement has me thinking about how I can personally use it. When I create my next entry for my illustrated discovery journal, I am going to use the prompt to guide my reflection. A written reflection is a window that I can see through.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Since the beginning of the year, I have been toying and experimenting with creating an illustrated discovery journal. This is the entry I created today. Each time I create an entry it feeds my artistic soul as well as giving me food for thought. The hearts in this entry represent two practices that are important to me. The first is the daily gratitude walk that I complete each evening. The second heart symbolizes my yoga practice. "Find Your Calling" should be the title for the next chapter in my life. After completing my entry, I notice that I continue to ponder the meaning of the symbols I have chosen for my entry. In addition I refer back to my previous entries to see if there is a common thread or a message from my subconscious. Seàrching for the unmistakeable touch of grace.